The Babble Review: Merry Muscles Baby Jumper

Gwynne Watkins — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:12:00 GMT

Most experts would tell you that baby exercisers are bad news for developing bodies, because they allow muscles to engage that aren't yet ready to do so. When I was told this, I thought it made a lot of sense, and it's still the main reason I haven't broken down and gotten an Exersaucer to share with the babysitting (that, and the fact that it would take up half the living room). But as soon as I put my daughter in the Merry Muscles ($69.95) and watched her bouncing in the air like a twenty-pound astronaut, the theoretical vs. practical baby debate went out the window.

The original bouncing seat was the Jolly Jumper, invented in 1948 by a Canadian woman who was inspired by laborers tying their babies to the vines of willow trees so that they could work in the fields. I'm not exactly picking cotton, but it sure allows for the 21st century freelance-writer equivalent. It's totally safe, she can't crawl out of it, and if she's in the mood, she can spend at least an hour in it. Although no one I know has had any problems, there have been complaints that the Jolly Jumper can cause broken toes and feet. The Merry Muscles reclines backwards slightly, so that the baby's heels hit the floor first instead (it comes with a screw-in hook to hang from a doorframe or ceiling, or you can buy a clamp for $25.95 to move it from room to room). One note: after one particularly enthusiastic session I noticed my daughter had skinned both of her pinkie toes, so I make sure she's wearing socks when she jumps from now on. Who knows, it might keep her from a career in professional tennis, but she'll have other skills. I'm sure of it. — Deirdre Dolan

droolicious : merry muscles

The Babble Review: Merry Muscles Baby Jumper